Houston, Texas (CNN) -- Joel Osteen strides into the former Compaq Center. Some 20,000 people are standing and singing. Purple lights softly pulse across the ceiling, and mist floats around two giant screens flashing words to the songs.

It's not a pulpit but a podium. It's not an altar but a stage. There is no cross. Instead a huge globe spins, and two massive bubbling creeks flank the stage. A lighting system softens distant corners of the massive arena and spreads colored light and smoke in strategic spots. Somehow, the space that will hold 40,000-plus on Sunday morning doesn't feel like a sports arena.

In the control room, producers watch multiple camera angles and feeds.

Smiling broadly, Osteen bounds up the few stairs to the stage, closes his eyes, lifts his hands and leads a prayer.

"God, I'm going to start this week off in faith. Expecting your goodness. Expecting to have a blessed and a prosperous week. Amen. Well, God bless you. Give him your very best today."

Welcome to Sunday morning at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. It's reportedly the nation's largest congregation and probably one of the most diverse places in America. One third of these churchgoers are Hispanic, one-third African-American and a quarter white. There are dozens of nationalities.

Osteen will give this sermon twice. He later said he knows immediately which segments to edit together into a sermon that will air on television to millions three weeks later.

Between services, he is signing his most recent book in the lobby, just past the bookstore that is one of the highest-grossing Christian bookstores in America.

His wife, Victoria, is co-pastor of the church and a best-selling author in her own right. In fact, the Osteens are not paid to be pastors at Lakewood, according to .............

I used to wonder about the unfairness of circumstances among people whether they are Christian or of any other faith or without a faith. I felt it most keenly one night when I was upset about something I thought was big in my life but I lay in a modest dwelling with a favorite blanket wrapped around me. It was about 45 degrees outside and I knew quite well that the homeless would be lucky to find a place for the night and they probably wouldnt have their favorite blanket with them. In the eyes of God, I do not merit a blanket and others the cold hard ground in the winter.
If I remain unemployed much longer I will lose my house but I do thank God that I ever had a house to begin with and He never promised me a house  He promised me a lasting home, with Him.
Why, if we are all to prosper literally, do some dig through rubbish for food (in our country or any other)? Why am I ambulatory and another confined to a wheelchair if God wants us to prosper (in health) in this life? In the past few years I have come to agree with the pastor of the church I attend  God loves us and wants us to prosper but it is not always material things or physical health that he uses to prospers us.
God also promises in this life you will have struggles and my pastor jokes that he has yet to see that particular promise in a inspirational Hallmark figurine (like the little waif holding a sign that reads I wuv you) or a lovely Hummel figurine.
I think Joel Osteen preaches half the message  the encouraging half  and by omission does a disservice to those who are undergoing struggle, financial or otherwise. I read his book and was at times encouraged by his positive mindset and other times repelled by his confidence that God wants him to have a luxurious house (my paraphrasing of a passage in Joels book).
I think there is room and need for both halves of the Word  the struggle half and the prosperity (in all its forms) half. Why did Job struggle? It wasnt because he didnt love God or wasnt faithful. This recorded (mp3) sermon, titled “Surviving Life’s Unanswered Questions” finally makes sense to me and has given me the best explanation, so far, for the ‘unexplainable’ (the concept of suffering)http://www.tlc.org/sermons/details.php?sermon_id=288

I feel Joel doesn’t help his followers prepare for the hard times we all face.

I enjoy listening to Joel but I couldn't take a steady diet of it...Joel is self admittedly pretty shallow when it comes to preaching...He claimed he wasn't called to preach or teach the deeper things of the bible...Unfortunately that's can't be true...

They're supposed to preach and teach the whole council of God...That's alright though, there is no shortage of places for one to get the meat of the word...

104
posted on 12/19/2009 9:10:15 PM PST
by Iscool
(I don't understand all that I know...)

Where do you think you got that Bible you carry to your church every Sunday? Mars? It was collated by the Catholic Church. You guys took out the parts that offended you, but it was collated long before Martin Luther ever took his first breath.

Wrong...They took out the phoney books that didn't cut the mustard as being inspired, the same books which contradicted each other and the rest of the scriptures and were found to be inaccurate when referring to people and places...

106
posted on 12/19/2009 9:15:31 PM PST
by Iscool
(I don't understand all that I know...)

Kenneth Hagin once had a dear sister . . . widow of an evangelist, I think . . . was dying of cancer or heart trouble, I forget. Hagin went and prayed for her several times.

He KNEW she believed AND PRACTICED faith to the utmost—as well as he did.

And she died.

He queried God about her. God emphatically and sternly told him it was none of his business and to NEVER ask about it any more.

Hagin’s disciples tend to avoid mentioning that case.

GOD IS PUSHING AND PULLING US THROUGH THIS BOOTCAMP TO RULE AND REIGN WITH CHRIST ETERNALLY.

Everything is fodder here to prepare us for then—THAT WE MIGHT BEAR THE GREATEST WEIGHT OF GLORY POSSIBLE.

AND, the first shall be last and the last shall be first.

Those truths seem to get lost in the dust of such discussions.

I’m convinced that all fiery furnace life paths are engineered for maximum glory eternally. AND that some folks—perhaps in consult with The Father before birth . . . somehow choose them or Father chooses them in His Wisdom.

That may be Hagin heresy and I wouldn’t want to have to defend it utterly by Scripture. I can argue against it more easily from Scripture.

It just seems inescapable that some very righteous people still end up on the short end of the stick in terms of worldly comforts, resources and options. Have they consciously chosen to claim spiritual treasures in Heaven above and beyond what would otherwise be available to them?

NEVERTHELESS, GOD SAID AND SAYS:

GOD WOULD THAT WE PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH, *EVEN* AS OUR SOUL PROSPERS. GOD SAID THAT. GOD MEANT THAT. THAT IS A GOD PRIORITY. NOT JOEL’S, GOD’S.

THERE IS NO WEASELING AROUND IT. THAT’S PLAIN SCRIPTURE.

Most folks have too hard a time insuring that GOD IS THE PARAGON FOCUS OF EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR/OUR LIVES.

That’s the crux of it.

Easier to blame folks who are calling us to a higher standard of living . . . in any respects.

“It's sad really. You don't believe God..so you don't want anybody else to believe either; because if others believe, then it makes you look bad.”

I have seen a lot of sanctimonious statements before but this one is right up there with the most sanctimonious.

When God says he wants you to prosper, why does it have to be about finances? God rewards his children in more ways than just finances, by growing closer to Him and loving with the heart of God. Did Jesus not say it would be easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than a rich man go to heaven.

God may bless you with greater finances if that is His plan for your life, or he may bless you in other ways.God is sovereign and he blesses in the way that will most Glorify Him.

“Lay Not Upon Yourself Treasures on Earth” that is the message of the abandoned Oxen Manger in Bethlehem where was born a helpless infant in the bitter cold of the night to a poor maiden, the Crucifixtion on Calvary and the empty burial tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea.

Sure God wants us to improve our lives but only for emptying itself out for Him. This is NOT what the Benny Hinns, Rick Warrens, and Joel Osteens instruct from their Hollywood-type production theatrics.

Here’s the story of a former atheist and her experience with Joel Osteen. Worth a full read.

There are quite a few Christians that are a lot more in tune with God than you and I who have not seen prosperity yet but I am sure if they listen to Joel Osteen it just a matter of time. Kinda like Obama spending us out of this recession.

I was letting Joel ‘anchor’ the prosperity half. Also, I think my comments about having a house and a favorite blanket, and a home with God, speak to my gratitude for my portion of prosperity.
One morning, the pastor asked those of us in the congregation who own a car to raise our hands, many hands up, of course. He then said that we should marvel at our blessing because 97% (or was it 99%) of the worlds population does not own a car.
This year I have received wealth far better than gold, silver, or the deed to the house I may lose. Against all odds and what I came to expect of my life, I have been given a piece of my heart back that the world and all it’s harshness had chipped and worn away. I never thought I would see it again as it has been gone so long, I had long resigned myself to life without it.
I went through so many years believing that we embrace life by contending with it and our fears. A few examples: I worked in life threatening job situations, was literally almost killed 3 or 4 times - the rest of the time the job was just extremely dangerous. Another time, I literally stared down (successfully) ‘The Stockton Rapist’ and became a person who walked away unharmed when others didn’t. A year or so later I was the only person in my crowded appt. complex who tried to come to the aid of a woman being attacked on the other side of the fence from my apartment. After all these years, her wild pleadings (she tried to get him to release her by promising him he could have her silverware from her apartment - he laughed in response) still stand my hair on end. DId she wonder why the windows of her neighbors remained dark despite her screams? She didn’t survive - he ‘selected’ her from one side of the fence while I stood about 10 feet away on the other side. Why didn’t he take from my side and not hers? Was it a blessing, a gift, a form of prosperity? I did not deserve to be spared any more than those women deserved to be raped and killed.
What is prosperity? I can and do thank God that He allowed the Holy Spirit to stare down the rapist in the prior year(”The Holy Spirit, after 2000 years, still kickin’ backsides and taking names!”) for me because it was not in my then timid nature to do so, and again that the monster that grabbed the woman next door ‘chose’ the other side of the fence, but if I thank God for this gift do I insult those who’s wife or daughter didn’t come home safely?

This year, the painful past and the difficult (and still difficult) life I lead and the pain and suffering I see on TV or a drive to the store, came together in a gift of healing that I never dreamed was possible. MIRACLE. MY MIRACLE. I GET TO HAVE A MIRACLE!!!! ME???
No human accomplished this for me - it was the persistent, unfailing grace of God. And it felt like I finally knew that God could see my face ( I have loved Him since I was 10 but I didn’t understand the way he felt about me - I really misunderstood) and it feels better than anything I could want or need, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything I own or once owned or dreamed of owning. It is not tied to any person or thing on earth, just God, so it can’t be taken away. My prosperity does not need an armed guard or FOrt Knox.
I certainly don’t have all the answers and I expect to fall back many times into my fearful ways - but I have proof that what the world does to us, not God but the harsh world we live in, God washes away in His own time. But the world and living in it, can be so very harsh and unfair. Life is unfair, God isn’t. Pardon the long ‘Christmas Rant’ but I am feeling so grateful and, well...rich, I wanted to tell someone...couldn’t keep it in.

GOD WOULD THAT WE PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH, *EVEN* AS OUR SOUL PROSPERS. GOD SAID THAT. GOD MEANT THAT. THAT IS A GOD PRIORITY. NOT JOELS, GODS.

Amen! Amen!

And God wants none to perish and Scripture shows many will. Can't say God did make salvation accessible for EVERYONE but many reject it.

Yes, many are better off financially, and there's teaching about not comparing ourselves to one another. God knows the reason why that teaching is important. We, more than likely, see things half cocked. ;) And then there is the tithing that is part of receiving.

I hope all open their hearts to God's blessing and, thankfully, give Him all the praise, honor and glory before they receive it. And that is standing on His Word in faith.

I'm glad you did and thank you for sharing. He has angels camped round about us! We are truly blessed. And I believe in my heart and say w/my mouth that no weapon formed against me will prosper..... Isaiah 54:17

There are many witnesses (preachers)in the Bible from front to back,each are in a different phase of life,a circumstance that is revalent to our lifetime right now.where ever we are in life.

Some of those witnesses were filthy rich lived long lives full of faith.Some were dirt poor and depended on others,but were full in faith.Some were in between,full of faith. They searched for God..wanted, had to know him,..must find him.That’s Faith..believing in a God that you can’t see with a total trust knowing w/o a doubt that you can call things that are not...as though they were. And it will change.

If one ever experiences that(faith)in God. Well... I don’t know how anyone could turn back.

People are in different facets and situations in their lives and God even tells you how to get out of trouble,how not to get into traps(and I fell into every one of them) every,every thing about life is written.A seeker needs to read the Word,live in it cause that’s who HE seeks...the ones that are hungry and thirsty.

Then...in the blink of an eye..you’ll hear his voice and you’ll be consumed with HIM....’for a man that comes to God..must first believe that he is and that He is a rewarder of those that DILIGENTLY seek HIM’.

Also..’God is a Spirit and those that worship HIM...must worship Him in spirit and truth... those.. God seeks to worship Him.’

John Osteen raised up his son in the way that he wanted him to go..in “GOD we trust.”

God forbid I say anything against a man that preaches the WORD of GOD...it won’t come outa my mouth cause I know many things of God.He may wink at some of you here because you know little of him....but I won’t even entertain the thought..it would be dangerous for me.

I've been a believer (sometimes more than others) for over forty years. Along with severe, sometimes seemly crushing trials, I been blessed of the Lord to sit under the ministries of well-respected men of God from all over the world. I have been spiritually fed by hearing and reading from the wonderful depths of God's Word by his Spirit through anointed men and women of God.

One thing I've learned is there's nothing more profound or deep than the revelation of the cross of Christ and the depth of love that represents from a Heart that longs for intimate fellowship with each of His children. There's nothing greater in all of Heaven and Earth than knowing Him. God had graced Joel with an anointing that captures God's heart and "the simplicity of Christ" that many (including maybe Joel himself) mistake as shallow. Referring to I Cor 13:13, another man of God, one of the most respected and loved of our time, said that an effective message should always leave the hearer with more faith, hope and love than they had before. Joel knows that God has dropped that ardor for his sheep in his heart, but I don't think he knows the rarefied place he shares. Admitting that he's shallow would be just like him - Joel doesn't put on any airs - he seems like a regular guy (like Jesus, I think).

He doesn't have the anointing Paul did but few if any do. Paul was an apostle who wrote much of the new Testament. Most are either prophets, pastors, evangelists, or in some area God has fitted them for ministry. It seems God had called Joel to to feed God's sheep who are starving to hope in and know the goodness of God.

Sorry I'm going on and on. Joel and Victoria aren't prefect by any means and I some issues with some things with them. But I think he's anointed with a surprising depth that he may not even realize and God is using him at such a time as this. (I'm sure sitting under his man-of-God father for his whole life has something to do with this.) I have never seen a pastor express such love for his sheep as Joel does. He humiliates and embarrasses himself sometime by breaking down and crying while sharing a touching story or something else with his congregation. I've never seen a heart like his for his people. It's refreshing.

I guess ol’ Joseph of Arimathea is going to hell because he was rich, right?

“Sure God wants us to improve our lives but only for emptying itself out for Him. “

Actually, we are supposed to prosper and then use our prosperity to help the poor (the financially poor and the poor in spirit) and promote the gospel.

“I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers”. I’m sure you are familiar with this very clear statement in the NT. This theme is consistent throughout the Old and New Testaments. It is talking about prospering of the soul, which is the mind, will, and emotions, and how GOd wants us to prosper in finances, in health, and all aspects of our lives.

Prosperity is not just about money, it’s about improving all aspects of our lives so we can serve others. Look at the divorce rate in the US. Certainly prospering in our family relationships, for example, is something we are called to do.

“Did Jesus not say it would be easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than a rich man go to heaven.”

I’m glad you mentioned this verse.

Have you looked at it in context? The disciples were obviously distressed at what he said (”who then can be saved?”). Sounds like some of them might have been wealthy, too, because they took Jesus’ words very personally. If they had been poor they would not have had that reaction. Jesus replied that, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

And how about the next couple of verses? The disciples said that they had left everything to follow Jesus. He replied, “So He said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.’”

“God may bless you with greater finances if that is His plan for your life, or he may bless you in other ways.God is sovereign and he blesses in the way that will most Glorify Him.”

That’s not what the Bible says. There are clear instructions about how to live in blessing or curse — God left that up to us. The OT and NT are both about how to live a blessed life in all areas of life. For example, see 3 John 1, Deut. 28.

I think the prosperity message gets lost because so many people think only of money. But most Christians miss out on the many blessings that are freely available to us because they focus only on the money part of it. Both rich people and poor people can be guilty of having a focus only on money.

Blessings of love, peace, joy, health, protection, shelter, etc., these are all spoken of in many places in the Bible as part of our Covenant. Seems like we see so few people who actually receive any of them, though. For some reason it can be difficult to receive what is freely given; they can’t accept that God wants to provide for them. You have obviously received some of His provisions, as have I.

Uh no. . . she didn’t pay for it herself because she had nothing. I don’t want to take away anything from this amazing woman, but she collected money from people who tithed it or made an offering. Some sacrificed to give to her but most I am sure did not have to sacrifice to give an offering. She may have organized it but, as always, she had to collect resources from people who actually had them.

It’s hard for alot of people to accept but God prospers people so that they can help others. This is a scriptural principle. If we had more people prospering then there would be more available to help others.

“Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, 16 go, sell what you have and give to (the) poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22
When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
23
17 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24
Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
25
18 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?”
26
Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
27
Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?”
28
19 Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.
30
20 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Matthew
Chapter 19USCCB

126
posted on 12/20/2009 7:34:20 AM PST
by OpusatFR
(Tagline not State Approved. Thoughts not State Approved. Actions not State Approved)

Yes, we should be good stewards over the things God has given us. But our rewards will be eternal not temporal.

Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everythingall she had to live on."

you know little of him.....must first believe that he is and that He is a rewarder .......God forbid I say anything against a man that preaches....At that point..repent, its GOOD to repent...unload it all. Then Confess Jesus Christ.

Hey - you wanna check and see if you sent this post to me in error. And if it were meant for me - in order for you to appear honest, compare what I said against what you are 'advising' me on EACH and EVERY 'advice' statement of yours.

As we know, anyone can preach - the test is - can they back it up with actions? "You'll know them by their fruits". And we are taught to 'test everything' so I'm testing your words to me against what I posted.

You got me wondering now PNSN...I certainly could have misqued on the one I wanted to post to...and it was late at nite.If you call it an error...I will confess and apoligize that it was MY error...please accept it.

Sorry...I did post to the wrong recipient!

All things aside...that is a good thread lots of comments.
Talk with you again sometime. Bye

I agree. Mother Teresa knew God is her Source and HE will make a way for her to fulfill the destiny on her life. And God uses people (who will be obedient) to accomplish His Will.

As you said - it's because of people giving that The Word is spread. You can't give if you don't have.

2 Cor 9:10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

Luke 6:38 - Give and it will be given to you, a good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Hmmmm ..?? Even Mother Teresa provided housing and food - where did she get the money to buy those things ..??

She lived a life of “poverty” - which only means that she DENIED HERSELF SOME OF LIFE’S PLEASURES .. but that didn’t stop her from taking donations in order to feed and house other people.

Was she just doing it for the money ..?? How come you’re not questioning her ..??

You see .. your comments have no validity!!

Read Deuteronomy - Chapter 28:1 - In the beginning of the Chapter, God lays out his plan to bless man - then, in verse 15, God lays out the curses. God then makes this wonderful statement in Chapter 30:15 - “I’ve set before you life and good, death and evil.”

The choice is YOURS.

144
posted on 12/20/2009 4:35:03 PM PST
by CyberAnt
(Healthcare is not a RIGHT guaranteed by the Constitution)

And .. what is your definition of prosper ..?? Does that feed your family - pay the rent - make the car payment ..??

You can’t separate prosperity from finances. The key is - what you do with the finances you’re given ..??

Read Deuteronomy 30:9 - “And the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in every work of your hand, in the fruit of your body (your children), of your cattle, of your land (your business), for your good: for the Lord will again delight in prospering you ...”.

Geeeeeee ... that doesn’t sound like God likes you very much. And .. if you believe that .. I got this bridge in Arizoni I’d like to sell you.

I don’t understand why people are against prospering. It just baffles me.

145
posted on 12/20/2009 4:45:51 PM PST
by CyberAnt
(Healthcare is not a RIGHT guaranteed by the Constitution)

Oh I am not against prosperity, I just don't believe in the Joel Osteen message, or any other message someone has regarding the gospel of financial prosperity.

Although I am not Catholic, I believe Mother Teresa was a saint because of her faith in God and her zeal to please Him. I think she followed the Gospel as well as any human could, yet she was not prosperous in finances but she did prosper in so many other ways.

Hmmmm ..?? Without “finances” how did she support her other nuns (I don’t recall ever seeing them in dirty or torn clothing - so where did she get the finances to purchase the uniforms ..??); how did she feed the poor; how did she provide them with anything without the finances to purchase the items she needed.

I dare you to explain that!

So when God, Himself, says in Deut. 30:9 that He “... will prosper the work of your hand, the fruit of your body, your cattle and your land, that doesn’t mean to you that God wants to bless you financially ..??

How do you explain that scripture as saying God does not want you to have finances ..??

But .. it comes down to this .. if you don’t want to be blessed, God will not force it upon you.

150
posted on 12/20/2009 6:59:29 PM PST
by CyberAnt
(Healthcare is not a RIGHT guaranteed by the Constitution)

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.